ABC Newsletter: Cobb Chairwoman highlights need for transportation accessibility
In addition to recent discussions about housing, Cobb is also moving forward with discussions about transportation improvements. For all.
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“A thriving economy cannot function unless we have connected communities. And transportation is more than asphalt and access. It's about unlocking opportunity. … [I]f you were to look at a brochure of Cobb County, our destinations are no more approximate to someone living overseas than someone living here in Cobb County if they cannot get to those sites. I think that it's incumbent upon us to see how the great things we talk about can be seen, experienced, and felt by everyone who was here.”
- Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid, June 2, 2025
Cobb Chairwoman Lisa Cupid delivered an extensive State of the County address during the Cobb Chamber of Commerce’s “Marquee Monday” luncheon at the Coca-Cola Roxy, highlighting her administration’s achievements and ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering equitable growth, economic development, and community well-being in Cobb County.
Transportation was among the pillars of Cupid’s address, and as part of her remarks on the subject she referenced county voters’ November 2024 rejection of the 1% 30-year sales tax known as the M-SPLOST (Mobility Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). Despite the M-SPLOST’s defeat, Cupid said “the need for accessible and equitable mobility remains.
“Whether by bus, by bike, by rail, by foot, our residents, our employees deserve a system that moves them safely, efficiently, and affordably. And I can tell you that we still are moving forward in seeing how we can make Cobb County accessible for all,” Cupid said. “Our Department of Transportation is assessing how we can make our current services more efficient and capitalize on the growing popularity of our on-demand transit service.”
That on-demand transit service, CobbLinc Go, has been in operation since October and is aimed at improving access in South Cobb: across Austell, Powder Springs, and southwestern Marietta. It’s part of a two-year pilot microtransit program.
CobbLinc Go operates weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with fares priced at $2.50.
Cupid said Cobb Department of Transportation is assessing how to expand and “capitalize” on CobbLinc’s “growing popularity,” as well as making other current services more efficient.
“And we know that there are other modes and communities that should be better able to ensure that every person — again regardless of income, ability or geography — can access jobs, health care, schools and public amenities,” Cupid added.
“These are not just congestion solutions, but they are economic lifelines,” Cupid said.
Cobb last year received $500,000 “to create a long-term sustainability plan,” Cupid said, which will enable the county to update its electric vehicle infrastructure, along with creating a center for hard-to-recycle materials.
The county is also tackling pedestrian and bicycle safety, she added.
“Too many of our residents still walk long distances just to access basic services. And that's why we're holding meetings with stakeholders, applying for grants, and exploring initiatives to foster thoughtful and inclusive design,” Cupid said.
Cupid’s entire address — about 47 minutes long — was filmed by the Cobb County Government and can be found on YouTube here.
This all continues a conversation about improved transportation and housing for everyone in Cobb County. If you remember, we recently got involved in a discussion about housing and its impacts on the School System.
As we continue to have these conversations, your input and involvement will be key to the future of the county.
New Event! Upcoming Meeting Preview on June 9th
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to attend or speak up at a County Meeting, this is the meeting for you.
A Better Cobb and Watching the Funds Cobb will be hosting a preview of upcoming County Commission and Board of Education meetings.
Come out and join us as we share our experiences and share our tips in how to make effective public speaking comments.
Upcoming A Better Cobb Events
Come out and meet other A Better Cobb advocates at the following events:
Monday, June 9, 6 p.m.: June Meeting Preview, Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center
Tuesday, June 10, 9 a.m.: Cobb Board of Commissioners Meeting
Thursday, June 12th, 7 p.m.: Cobb School Board of Education Meeting
Wednesday, June 18, 6 p.m.: Monthly Social: Walking Tour around Cumberland, meeting Cultivate at 6 p.m., and will start walking at 6:20 towards Truist Park
Tuesday, June 24, 7 p.m.: Cobb Board of Commissioners Meeting
As always, we host a weekly bike ride every Saturday that kicks off from the Marietta Food Hall at 10 a.m.
Check out our events page for a live calendar.
What are A Better Cobb events like?
Our goal in hosting and attending events is bringing together a community that advocates for the housing, safety, and transportation policies we support. Take a look at the photos below for some photos taken at recent events.
Tuesday, June 10th Board of Commissioners Preview
You can find the link to the upcoming agenda here.
The meeting will kickoff at 9AM, and if you want to make public comment, we recommend getting there before 830AM.
Admittedly, it’s not a lot of relevant items on the agenda for this meeting, but here is a preview of the upcoming meeting.
Public Comment Round 1 (10 speakers, up to 3 minutes each on any topic)
Consent Agenda (19 items)
Regular Agenda (5 items)
Item 21: Federal Land Access Program (FLAP) grant applications for Powder Springs Road Trail and proposed improvements at Stilesboro Road and Old Mountain Road. Both applications are asking for 100% in Federal Funds. The Powder Springs Road Trail would be a new multi-use trail on Powder Springs Road between County Services Pkwy and Cheatham Hill Road. The improvements at Stilesboro Road and Old Mountain Road includes two
channelized right turns, a westbound left-turn lane on Stilesboro Road, and the addition of raised medians. It’s weird that these new lanes for cars are being tagged as improvements to pedestrian safety…
Read more about the proposal here: https://cobbcoga.portal.civicclerk.com/event/976/files/report/14635Item 23: Supplemental Agreement to add $292k to an already existing $991k contract for engineering services for Mars Hill Road and Dallas Highway Intersection Improvements.
Public Comment Round 2 (10 speakers, up to 3 minutes each)
Appointments & Announcements (2 items)
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